I love it when a sentence takes you down unexpected paths past unexpected places:

“…I let myself sink into poverty, in a manner that was deliberate, rigorous and not altogether devoid of elegance.” from Monsieur Pain by Roberto Bolano, translated by Chris Andrews

Why is this sentence effective? When I think of characters falling into poverty, it usually isn’t self-inflicted (at least not with purposeful intent), and it usually isn’t done with rigor or elegance. There’s so much here that’s out of the norm, it makes the character intensely interesting. I want to know more.

3 responses to “Sentence Alert!”

I knew there was a reason I should have read that book a long time ago! Do you have other sentences stenciled on your wall? I’m thinking this is a fabulous decorating statement. You could fill walls with overlapping sentences, and then see what serendipitous combinations are born.

Thinking of even more permanent decoration, one of our former babysitters has a line from a Dylan Thomas poem tattooed down the length of her forearm. I am moved by such strong connections to words. It gives me chills.